Val McDermid’s name will remain on a stand at Raith Rovers’ home ground for another four years due to a sponsorship deal.
And she hopes it “sticks in the craw” of board members every time they see it.
The lifelong Raith supporter cut ties with the Kirkcaldy club on Tuesday morning in protest at their signing of David Goodwillie.
The striker was branded a rapist in a 2017 civil court case.
McDermid, a former board member at the club, said she felt physically sick at the move.
She announced she would be ripping up her season ticket and ending her lifelong support of the team.
She has also cancelled next season’s shirt sponsorship.
However, the Val McDermid stand will continue to dominate the Pratt Street ground, thanks to a 20-year sponsorship deal signed in 2006.
The best-selling crime writer told The Courier: “The 20-year sponsorship deal runs to 2026, so like this seasons’s strip, it has to stand.
“I hope it sticks in their craw every time the board members see it.”
Kirkcaldy-born McDermid took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce she was shelving her support.
I have this morning ended my lifelong support of @RaithRovers over their signing of the rapist David Goodwillie. I have cancelled next season’s shirt sponsorship over this disgusting and despicable move. This shatters any claim to be a community or family club. 1/2
— Val McDermid (@valmcdermid) February 1, 2022
She branded Goodwillie’s signing “disgusting and despicable” and added: “This shatters any claim to be a community or family club.”
The author described her decision as “a heartbreaker”.
And her comments were followed by widespread outrage and a number of resignations from the club.
Lifelong Raith Rovers supporter
McDermid, known as the Queen of Crime, contributed a six-figure sum through her sponsorship of the North Stand, which was renamed in her honour.
And she also donated to the club’s takeover by New Raith Rovers Ltd in 2007.
Four years later she joined the board as a director, saying it was an ideal way to put something back into a community she holds dear to her heart.
But her association with Raith went back decades.
Not only was she a supporter, but her dad was a former scout for the club and famously talent-spotted a young Jim Baxter.
Speaking in 2011, McDermid said joining the board was something she would never have imagined.
“I think it’s important that we try to broaden the nature of people involved in football at club management level,” she said.
“For too long it has been something of a gentleman’s club and a closed shop in lots of ways.
“But it says a lot for Raith Rovers’ willingness to embrace with different segments of the community that they were willing to welcome someone like me on the board.”
